Networked Nigels

Posted on 2008-03-19 by Nigel VH

I’ve grown up in a society that has relatively few people around named Nigel. I’ve kinda gotten used to being the only Nigel I know. This has just come under severe contradiction.

Recently, I was using NetStumbler on my laptop sitting happily closed in the back seat of the car as I was driving around doing some errands. No big deal, just thought I’d do a little survey. I didn’t actually look at the results until just now.

Like normal you find a bunch of completely unencrypted, non-password-changed networks that would be a breeze to log into, and per se change the SSID to something more fun. There’s also the bunch of networks where people have changed the SSID to something fun themselves. And of course, the myriad of networks that are boring, encrypted, and generally work related.

Then suddenly, as I’m scrolling thru the saved list of networks, I realize something. My name is in that list. Yes, there was a WiFi network named ‘Nigel’ that wasn’t mine, and wasn’t anywhere near where I live. This leaves me with two possible thought paths to follow:

A: There’s another Nigel out there who is narcissistic enough to name the network plainly after him.

OR

B: There’s some creepy ass stalker out there who is totally infatuated with me and everything I do and has decided to name their WiFi network after me just so they can get the small pleasure of ‘connecting with Nigel’, or ‘interfacing with Nigel’s system’.

Frankly, either way, I found it rather interesting to find a WiFi network that shares my name. Especially without my doing so. Maybe I’ll go see if I can meet this supposed other ‘Nigel’. Maybe.

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More projects.

Posted on 2008-02-25 by Nigel VH

Well, As you know, I’m working on that 80 Meter transceiver project. During the course of this, to save on the cost of the materials, I decided today to take apart an old clock radio I had and cannibalize a bunch of the parts.

Fortunately, the designers had my kind of use in mind, and designed the clock and the radio part separately. Connected only by a few wires for power, and using the radio for the alarm. I was able to separate these devices with relatively little loss of function. All I lost was the alarm functionality, and I didn’t ever use or want that anyway. So, it’s as far as my use is concerned, still running perfectly!

Here’s the images:

Now all I need is a crystal and a few capacitors! BUA HA HA HA HA! Then my evil 80 Meter tranceiver will be complete!

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FOOD!!!

Posted on 2008-02-23 by Nigel VH

Well, this weekend, I’m back at Dad’s condo here in Seattle. It’s nice to be able to come back here and have some quiet time once in a while. Though, it isn’t always full of food. So, I use my dining plan and buy some groceries to eat. It’s really convenient. Grab a pizza, some various other food type goods, and head back. Of course, there’s also the gallons of orange juice that I sustain myself on.

I also am planning on meeting the girl and a friend of hers, and friend’s uncle(?) for Mexican food later tonight. Hey, I’m not going to complain about a free meal. Then she and I will come back and have a nice quiet evening. It’s nice to have a bit of downtime sometimes.

I recently cleaned my fishtank. It was getting a little dirty, So last weekend I decided that I was going to clean it up. It’s looking much better now. The fish are all happy and healthy.

I’ve also recently learned of some interesting information concerning the electronics field. One of which involves lasers (Always Fun). The other involves radio tranceivers (also always fun).

Apparently if you get a dvd burner, and take the laser diode out of it, place it in a housing (to disperse heat and focus the beam) then connect it properly to a couple AAs then you can get it to burn stuff. This is definitely something I would like to try out if I can get my hands on a 16x DVD burner laser diode. Unfortunately while getting cheaper, these devices still run in the multiple tens of dollars. Right now, that’s a little out of my price range.

My good buddy, and fellow Technician Class HAM Radio Operator, happened to stumble across some plans for a very cheap (like nine bucks), very easy to build, CW (Morse Code (No, I don’t know why they chose CW.)) tranceiver. These devices should be able to broadcast somewhere around a hundred miles. With some slight tweaking, we believe we can get them to go just a little farther, and with some slight different tweaking, I believe that I can get it to transmit voice instead of just tone. I suppose we’ll have to see.

Anyways, That is what is up with me.

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Go Blocky Go!

Posted on 2008-02-19 by Nigel VH

Well, I’ve done it again. Yes, I’ve turned a computer into another weird form. This time it isn’t a wall compy though. I know, BUMMER! Anyways, I thought this one up for portability. Maybe for use as a LAN party gaming server.

Don’t worry, I didn’t have to disassemble the wall compy to get the parts for this one. Oh wait, that’s right, you never have to worry about me having an inordinate amount of computer parts laying around.

The pics of it sitting on my desk follow. The specs follow the pics.

She is presently running Ubuntu 7.10. (Yes, I know, I have a bias to operating systems.) An Intel Pentium 4 Processor runs this baby at 2.0 GHz. With 512 MB of system RAM. A 60 GB Hard Drive. A 400 Watt power supply. At the time of photographing it was working on downloading the linux version of steam so I can get the gaming a ‘happenin’!

I’m thinking of maybe adding a handle at some point. I’m not sure where yet, but we’ll get there.

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Wall Compy Update and Broken Tools

Posted on 2008-01-30 by Nigel VH

Well, I just have a quick update for you on the wall compy. I ended up replacing the CD-ROM drive with two more 80GB hard drives, which brings the total storage capacity of this bad boy to 280GB. I’m pretty happy with it. Here’s a pic!

Also, just recently (like tonight) I was working on a small project of mine. During the course of this, I ran across a point where I needed to crimp a connector onto some wire. No problem for my handy dandy Gerber Suspension Multi-Tool. Thus, I began the crimping process. Placed the connector with wire into the maw of this beast they call pliers and began to squeeze down, expecting a perfect crimp. SNAP!!!! Looking down more closely, the handles were too close together! Half of the pliers broke off! I broke stainless steel pliers! (Sure, it was a manufacturing defect, but hey, why not brag a little!) Here’s some pictures to prove it!

Luckily, there is a lifetime warranty on these suckers! I’m gonna send it back, and get me a new one. I have to say, I’ve really really enjoyed this tool. It’s got great functionality, Is a very comfortable size for my hand, and is a very easy grip too. Despite the break, I would definitely recommend these tools to anyone. Also, their service is great. All of their Multi-Tools have Limited Lifetime Warranties, and they’re really easy going about it, just mail it back to them with a note with your name, address, telephone number, and what happened, and they’ll repair or replace it and send it back! That easy. I’ll be mailing mine back in the next few days!

I’ll miss you pliers, come back soon!

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